I just came out of a long discussion with an influential member of the Wigwe family, and I must say that this is becoming quite embarrassing, even if not, an outright shame.
The news of the court case filed in a Lagos Court has gone through the rounds dragging the family name in the mud not meant for it but for the activities of some elements
My discussion this evening has revealed the following facts –
Herbert had written his will a long time ago and in his will, he had made his Cousin Uche the executioner
His sole task was to administer his debts, take care of his matters and generally just overseas stuff in the event of his passing.
The Will also appointed his partner, Aigboje Aig Imoukhuede, into a Trust that he would set up and chair, and this Trust would handle his affairs on behalf of his children both biological and adopted.
Aigboje Aig Imoukhuede was also appointed to be the legal custodian of his children both biological and adopted
One remarkable thing that I have learnt is the fact that his parents were not mentioned in the Will, according to my source.
I don’t think Herbert had thought that he would pass before his wonderful parents.
Remarkably, he also did not mention his siblings, who are today on the offensive in the will.
Further discussions show that this may be so as a result of the fact that he may not have approved of the life and outlook of his siblings while alive.
Today, One year later, wahala has burst out.
The leftover siblings have pushed their discontent which hitherto was under the carpet to the courts
We have learnt that a case has been filed allegedly questioning the validity of the Will and taking aim at Aigboje and Uche in their individual capacity.
Documents floating around the media show that Tochi has been joined or voluntarily asked to be joined in the matter, but I am not sure.
The prayers of the plaintive, like I have been told by very credible sources within the family, is that the will should be discounted and the affairs of the late Herbert be handed over to them.
Now my view.
This prayer if true, is very embarrassing.
One would understand if this was a common patrimony. Say a father passed and his children were fighting for his legacy but these are siblings fighting over a brother’s wealth that was bequeathed to his children
This one beats me totally.
So God forbid, my brother passes, and in his will, he hands over everything to his children and asks his business partner to oversee everything, I will now leave Duke of Shomolu Productions and be fighting my 26-year-old niece for her father’s wealth.
Me I don’t know how you people see this thing o beyond shameful
I have thought about this so long and hard.
Is it that as we struggle in this life, we should also be thinking of our siblings and their own families to avoid this kind of implosion?
My source also told me, that Tochi has a wonderful relationship with her grandparents and was recently with them at an event.
That joining the old man who served Nigeria in a very strong capacity at the NTA was just being dragged into the matter to give the push some form of legitimacy
My source also told me that Tochi and Aigboje were open to ceeding some degree of the assets and wealth to his extended family but these people will have none of that and would rather push for control
In doing this, they have tried to drag very strong names through the mud, they have walked out of tribute services and even issued disclaimers against associates and friends who have genuinely tried to honour the departed icon
How do you rubbish everything a sibling has worked for on the table of unrelenting greed?
Men have stopped being men. Why would you drag your niece to court just one year after she lost her parents and brother
What kind of trauma are we adding to the life of this young girl that life has just thrown a rotten lemon
There is no justification for this action. None at all
The lady is 26 years old and legally entitled to her father’s wealth will or no will
At this age, she also will be able to decide what’s best for her and her siblings and whose best for them to deal with or otherwise.
Truth is that Herbert would not have hesitated to appoint one of the other Wigwes as his administrator instead of a cousin and a business partner if they had thrown up a level of confidence in their ability to protect his children and vast wealth while he was alive.
The fact that we are here today confirms his thoughts about them
At this stage, let me state very categorically that I am on Tochi’s side and by extension on Aigboje and Uche’s side judging from all that I have heard from all sides of this shameful episode.
Herbert fought all if his life to push the Wigwe name to Olympic heights and the Other Wigwes’ are now fighting with the same vigour to pull down the name.
Sad and disgraceful, I tell you.
Someone should now stand up and beat me
Sad
*Duke of Shomolu*
